The Georgian Competition and Consumer Agency has completed the investigation in the market of online sale of cinema tickets and found a violation of Article 7 of the Law of Georgia on Competition (Restrictive agreements). According to the decision of the Agency, on both the appellant and the respondent parties - 3 companies, a sanction of more than 1.6 million GEL was imposed.

In particular:

1- A single economic entity – “Distribution Company” (“Distribution Company”, “Cavea Saburtalo” LLC, “Cavea Gallery” LLC, “Cavea Tbilisi Mall” LLC, “Rustaveli Holding Cinema” LLC, “Amirani” LLC, “Apollo Batumi” LLC) - 1 120 562 GEL.
2 – “Tinet” LLC (100% shareholder TBC Bank Group PLC) - 544,328 GEL
3 - To “El-tickets” LLC (complainant) - 5,368 GEL

Following an investigation, it was determined that an exclusive contract between "Distribution Company" LLC and "Tinet" LLC was in breach of competition legislation. The contract gave Tinet the sole right to sell cinema tickets on their portal tkt.ge. Another company, "El-tickets" LLC, was also involved in the transaction and attempted to obtain exclusivity on their portal biletebi.ge.

The court intervened at the start of the investigation and stopped the use of the exclusive condition by the "Distribution Company." This allowed the complainant company to operate in the market before the final decision of the Agency, which created a competitive environment and opened a closed market.

To enhance the online sales market for tickets for cultural, entertainment, creative, sports, leisure, and tourism, as well as educational, transport, and other products/services, three mandatory recommendations have been issued for consideration.